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Project Noah Nature School
Large grey Carpenter Moth of the family Cossidae. She was 4 cm long with an 8 cm wingspan. The antennae were short (4th picture) and she was laying some very tiny yellow eggs (pictures 1 and 5). When at rest, before I disturbed her, she looked like a long twig with legs. The long wings were rolled tightly around her body like Dracula in the rain (last picture). The larvae of these moths are also very large (although the eggs are amazingly tiny) and burrow in wood. They can take up to 3 years to reach adulthood.
Came to an ultraviolet light in the garden, San Cristobal de Las Casas, 2,200 meters.
Spotted on May 11, 2014
Submitted on May 14, 2014
4 Comments
Thank you Teresa :) If you put up that strange looking moth, let me know!
Amazing Moths....you know, I found a strange looking moth the other day...I need to check my camera to see if it came out and see if we can figure out what it is!! lol
Thank you Leuba :)
Great photos and information, Lauren. Thanks. I like the patterns on this one